Recently retired, Andre is a proven dynamic and exceptional leader. Being the first African-American First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a Regional Bank in the history of the Federal Reserve System, his record of sustained excellence across numerous complex and demanding roles is unmatched. He is a savvy and tested C-suite executive skilled at building culture and high performing workplaces while serving as a trusted advisor to the President on all matters.
As the COO of one of the largest Regional Reserve Banks, Andre was responsible for all aspects of the bank including the Head office and Branch Boards of Directors, Bank supervision, and 24/7 Payment and Building Operations. Having eleven direct reports, covering five remote branches, with employees in thirty-two states, showcased his ability to lead, organize, and direct an incredibly complex organization. The banks budget exceeds $530 million with approximately 1,800 employees.
His illustrious career spans over 40 years across multiple distinct functions, including payment operations (P/L responsibilities), bank supervision and compliance, and serving as the Bank’s alternate representative for the Federal Open Market Committee. During his tenure he also served as a senior officer at the Board of Governors overseeing the Reserve Banks as well as representing the Federal Reserve System internationally. His list of key accomplishments rivals any executive in the Federal Reserve System.
He currently serves on the Board of the Atlanta Police Foundation (audit/finance committee), the Midtown Alliance and the Midtown Improvement District (City of Atlanta appointee), and the Atlanta Beltline Partnership. He earned an undergraduate degree in Corporate Finance from the University of Alabama and completed the Executive Development Program at Cornell University.
Kelly Landry Mehrtens is the Executive Director of The Trust (Powered by the NFLPA). The Trust’s mission is to support NFL players as they live their purpose beyond football.
Mehrtens is responsible for managing and marketing a wealth of services organized as pillars. She works with a dedicated staff and world class providers to connect players to these top-notch services. Mehrtens and her team continue to create hugely successful engagement events to further build upon an unrivaled holistic approach with members of The Trust. Prior to her ascent, she served as Managing Director, a position she assumed in 2016.
Before joining The Trust, Mehrtens was the Deputy Director of Athletics/COO at the University of Maryland where she was a member of the executive leadership team. During her time at Maryland she had various responsibilities, including leading the day-to-day operations, oversight of an $80 million budget and serving as the primary administrator for football. Mehrtens also helped oversee the transition of the University from the ACC to the Big Ten Conference.
Mehrtens’ experience in sports administration, budget development, marketing, branding and fundraising has also touched the athletic programs at Northeastern University, The University of Miami, The University of Illinois, The University of Kansas and The University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she was Director of Athletics. Further, her leadership has led to positions on several NCAA and Power 5 Conference Committees.
A native of Panama City, Florida, Mehrtens received her B.S. in Accounting from The University of Alabama where she was an All-American discus thrower and member of the track team. She holds a graduate degree in Higher Education from the University of Illinois.
Thomas L. Wilder, Jr. is the senior pastor of the Historic Bethel Baptist Church (Collegeville) in Birmingham, Alabama. He has served in that capacity for over 30 years. He was also employed in the corporate arena for 34 years where he held numerous managerial roles mostly related to Human Resources, Customer Service, and Marketing Community/Relations. He retired from the corporate world so that he could devote full time to his ministry, continuing his education and writing.
Thomas has served on numerous boards throughout his career. Those boards include Girls Inc. of Central Alabama, United Way of Central Alabama, Shelby County Department of Human Resources, United Cerebral Palsy (now United Ability), The University of Alabama’s President’s Cabinet, Birmingham Construction Industry Authority, Addiction Prevention Coalition, and the American Association of Blacks in Energy local and national boards.
He is listed among Who’s Who in Historical Societies, Who’s Who in Birmingham, Birmingham’s Top 40 under 40, Top Fifty over Fifty, Leadership Birmingham, Leadership Shelby County, and is certified for life as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by the Society for Human Resources Management.
Thomas received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama in Commerce and Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources, his Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his Master of Ministry Degree from Birmingham Theological Seminary. He was given an honorary doctorate from Faith Grant College. He is presently attending the Beeson Theological Seminary pursuing his Doctor of Ministry Degree.
He is married to the former Mechelle Sippial and together they have four grown children.